Machine for excavating, elevating, and dumping earth, sand, silt, or gravel.



W. GAsTLEs. MACHINE FOB. BXGAVATING, ELBVATING, AND DUMPING EARTH, SAND, SILT, 0R GRAVEL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2,6, 1912.

Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

6 SHEBTB-SHEET 1.

CDLUMBIA PLANonRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON. D, c.

W. GAS'I'LES. MACHINE FOR BXGAVATING, ELEVATING, AND DUMPING BARTH, SAND, SILT, OR GRAVEL.

APPLICATION FILED .TUNE 26, 1912.

"1,074,163, PatentedA Sept. so, 1913.

6 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

\ my? zwerabn COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH CD.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

W. CASTLBS. MACHINE FOR BXOAVATING, ELEVATING, AND DUMPING EARTH, SAND, SILT, 0R GRAVEL.

APPLIOATIDN FILED JUNEZG, 1912. l

,1,0741 6-3 Patented sept, 3o, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

| IIII E Wnmlnuu 95' gbl.;

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM Co.. WASHINGTON, n. i

W. GASTLES. MACHINE FOR BXCAVATING, ELEVATING, AND DUMPING EARTH, SAND, SILT, 0R GRAVBL.

APPLICATION I'ILBD JUNE 26, 1912;

Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

B SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. GASTLES. MACHINE POR BXGAVATING, BLBVATING, JNND DUMPING EARTH, SAND, SILT, 0R GRAVEL.

' APPLICATION FILED .TUNB26, 1912.

1,074-1 63. Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

G SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. CASTLES. MACHINE FOB. BXGAVATING, ELBVATING, AND DUMPING BARTH, SAND, SILT, 0R GRAVEL.

PPLIOATION FILED JUNE 26, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Sm. i

oLU'MB'lA PLANOGRAPH Co.,w^sHlNa1-ON. D. c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

WESLEY CASTLES, OF MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

MACHINE FOR EXCAVATING, ELEVATING, AND DUMPING EARTH, SAND, SILT, OR

GRAVEL.

Specification of Letters latent.

Application filed .Tune 2G, 1912. Serial No. 705,985.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WESLEY CAsTLns, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at the Palace Hotel, No. 217 Bourke street, Melbourne, in the State of Victoria and Commonwealth of Australia, have inventedk an Improved Machine for Excavating, Elevating, and Dumping Earth, Sand, Silt, or Gravel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention of an improved machine for excavating, elevating, and dumping earth, sand, silt, or gravel, has been devised for the purpose of facilitating and very greatly reducing the cost of construction of canals, channels, dams, railway and other earth works.

A machine constructed according to my invention is self-contained, inasmuch as it is provided with the necessary motive power for operating it; and by removing certain parts, it can be quickly and easily altered to enable it to be used for haulage purposes.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed, in which the same reference numerals indicate the same parts wherever they occur- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed according to myinvention, and provided with steering wheels and combined transport and elevating wheels. Fig. 2 is a plan View of same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine. Fig'.V 4 is a .sectional elevation of one of the combined transport and elevating wheels. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the `conveyer supporting rollers. Figs. 7 `and 8 are detail views of the means for tightening the conveyer belts. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of shields inside each of the propelling and elevating wheels. perspective view of the mechanism for imparting motion to the axle carrying the transport and elevating wheels. Fig. 11 is an elevation of the mechanism for operating the conveyers. Fig. 12 is a side elevatio-n of Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a plan view of the plows and their connections.

1 is the framework of the machine, which is strengthened by lateral and cross beams (2). The front portion of the framework is suitably distanced `for the bed to carry theV engine for providing the necessary motive power for operating the machine. In the drawings, the engine shown is an Fig. 10 is a ordinary oil engine, but it will be obvious that any other type of engine may be used.

3 are the cylinders of the engine, 4 the inlet pipe, 5 the exhaust pipe, and 6 the valve t-appets.

7 is the crank case, which is firmly attached to the framework (1), and said crank case is provided with bearings (8 and 9) for supporting the crank shaft (10) of the engine. 11 is a heavy liy Wheel keyed on the said crank shaft, and 12 is another fly wheel for transmitting the motive power through a clutch (not shown) actuated by a block (13) and lever (1,4) Fig. 2. When the clutch is in action, motion is communicated to the shaft (15), carried in suitable bearings (16 and 17), and to the bevel pinion (18) which drives the bevel wheels (19 and 20), mounted loosely on counter-shaft (21), is carried in bearings (22 and 23.) 24 is a dog clutch between the two bevel wheels (19 and 20), and 25 Fig. 2 is a lever for actuating said dog clutch when it is desired to reverse the motion of the engine in order to reverse the direction of movement of the machine.

26 is a pinion, mounted and keyed on the counter-shaft V(21) for transmitting power to the back axle (27) through the train of gear wheels (28,29, 30, 31, and 32).

33 is a ratchet wheel secured to the shaft 27 adjacent to the large spur wheel 32, which is loosely mounted on said shaft; and 311 are pawls, carried by said spur wheel and normally engaging said ratchet wheel, (see Fig. l0). 35 is a drum secured to said spur wheel 32. In the event of the machine being bogged, the pawls (341) are released om engagement with the ratchet wheel (33), thus throwing spur wheel (32) Vout of engagement with the axle (27). A wire rope (not shown) is then caused to engage with the drum (35), its other end being connected to an adjacent tree or stump. On motion being given to the drum, the winding of the rope thereon quickly extricates the machine.

`The framework (1) is mounted and carried at the front on the axle of the steering wheels (36), and at the rear on the' axle (27) ofthe transport and elevating wheels (37). The said axle works in bearings (38 and 39), bolted and securely attached Vto the framework (1). Supported on the said framework (l) is a cooler or radiator 40 of any suitable type. At the forward end of said cooler or radiator (40) is a cylinder (41), having therein a fan (not shown) securely attached to the shaft' (42) in bearings (43 and 44) on supports (45 and 46), the said fan being driven by means of belt (47) engaging with pulley (48) and fly wheel (l2). The cooling medium is taken from the tank (49)-which is supported on the framework (51), preferably at the back and on the opposite side of the machine to the conveyer hereinafter referred to-by the pump (50) tc the cylinders (3), back to the cooler (40), and thence it passes by gravity back to the tank (49).

The transport and elevating wheels (37), one of which is shown more particularly in Fig. 4, are located on the inside of the framework. These wheels each consist of seven parts-viz.: the rim (37A) 5 the tread compartments or buckets extending around the inner circumference of the wheel (37), and so constructed that their walls (54) radiate to the center of such wheel (37) plate (55), on the outside of and eX- tending over the whole circumference of the rim of said wheel, the said plate being of sufficient depth to form one of the side walls of the compartments or buckets (53); a plate (56) covering the whole of the back of the wheel to prevent any of the excavated material from falling from the said buckets or compartments into the working parts of the machine; the bevel spur wheel (57), securely attached to the plate (56) of said wheel (37) by the radiating beams (57A); and the angle iron strips (58) attached to the plate (56) to prevent t-he excavated material getting between the back plate and either of the pair of shields (59), which are located inside the transport and elevating wheels (37 Such shields are held in their normal position by springs (60) between the stops (61) on the rods (62) and the angle iron ring (63), which latter is fastened to the framework (l) by angle iron beams (64). The said shields preferably consist of a sheet of boiler plate riveted to angle-iron segments (59A), and theobject in making them adjustable is to permit of stones, which are too large to enter the compartments or buckets (53), forcing said shields inward, and allowing said stones to travel around with the wheel until they reach and fall on the conveyer belt hereinafter referred to. The bevel wheel (57) on each of the transport and elevating wheels (37) drives one or other of the bevel pinions (65 or 65A), whichever is in gear, and which is determinable by the direction in which the machine is traveling; or, in other words, whether the engine is reversed or not. The throwing infand out of gear ofthev pinions (65 and 65A) is eected by their respective dog clutches (80 and 8,1), These bevel pinV ions are respectively and loosely mounted on the shafts (66 and 66A) carried in bearings (67 and 67A). Keyed tothe said shaft (66) at one end` is a toothed wheel (68), which transmits power to the toothed wheel (69) through the chain (70). Keyed to the shaft (66A) is a similar toothed wheel (68A) which drives toothed wheel (69A) through the chain (70A) when the travel of t-he machine is reversed and dog clutch (81) is in mesh with the bevel pinion (65A) .A The toothed wheels 69 and 69A are keyed to the shaft 71, having securely fastened thereto the roller 72'which drives the conveyer belt 73, this belt receiving from the buckets or compartments 534 the excavated material delivered to them by the plow hereinafter referred to. 1t will be understood that the conveyerbelt 73 must move in the same direction whether the machine is traveling in one direction or the other, and hence it is necessary to provide the reversible pinions 65, 65A. The clutches of these pinions are thrown into gear in accordance with the direction of movement o-f the wheel 57 so that the same directional movement is always imparted to theconveyer. There is of course a conveyer belt 73 and its driving mechanism for each elevating wheel 37, (see Fig. 2) and these belts (73), 73A run over rollers` (74) and guiding rollers (75), and finally over tightening rollers (7 6), more particularly illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The frame (77) for carrying said rollers (74, 75, and 76) is bolted to upright beams (78), which in vturn are bolted to the cross beams (2) of the framework The upright beams (78) also carry the bearers (79 and 79A), which support the bearings (67 and 67a). Each of the guiding rollers 75 of the bel conveyer 73 is supported in a bearing consisting of a base 82, having upwardly projecting webs 83 which are formed with bosses 84 and 85, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The boss (84) has screwed therein a set screw (84A) for taking up the wear, and at the same time giving the guiding rollerA (75) free movement on same. vThe Vtightening roller (76) on shaft (36) is suitably bedded in a longitudinally adjusted bearingV (87), having lugs (88) sliding in a slot (89) of a bracket (90) bolted to the bearers (77) carrying the belt rollers and guides. TheV bracket (90) has cast thereon a loop (91) for receiving a screwed block (92) capable of being readily renewed if the screw in same should become worn or stripped. Y The screwed rod (93) having handle (94) for manipulating the tightening mechanism of the belt conveyer is joined with a collar (not shown), whichv revolves in a groove in the v( (945)v cast integral with the bearing 87 The excavating plows (95) are doubleended, and attached to plates (96) bolted to an angle-iron frame (97), having at each end 98) a bolt eye (99) for receiving a pin 100) holdingthe fork end (101) of the rod (102). The objectof making the plow double-ended is to enable the machine to work both ways. This rod (102) is passed through a beam (103) attached to the under-carriage (104), such under-carriage being for the purpose of strengthening and giving more rigidity to the frame (1). On the rod (102) is a spring (105) in tension between the collar (106) pinned to the rod (102) and the beam (103) of the undercarriage, and being for the purpose of taking the stress and strain of the side play of the plows. Also attached to the ends (98) of frame (97) are hooks (107),-having wire ropes or chains (108) attached thereto for raising or lowering the plows by means of a ratchet winch, shown more particularly in Fig. 3. The frame (97) of the plows is held in position laterally by the links (109), screwed rod (110), and screwed block (111), and similar links (109A) to the under-carriage (104). By these means the plows can be adjusted backward or forward to insure the excavated material falling Vinto the buckets or compartments (53) of the wheels (37). A colter (112) is attached to the frame (97) by the bar (113). Projecting upwardly from the frame (97) is an angleiron beam (114) moving in guides (115) on the said framework (1). The mold boards of the plows (95) are curved in such a way that they will direct the excavated material into the lowest compartments (53) of the transport and elevating wheels which carry same around to the top and allow it to drop by gravity on to the belt conveyer (73). rI`he earth from the off-side transport and elevating wheel (37) falls on to the adjacent belt conveyer (73), and thence passes through chute (116) to belt conveyer (73A), which also conveys the excavated material deposited thereon from the buckets or compartments (53) of the near-side transport and elevating wheel The plows and conveyers being bolted to the frame can readily be dismantled, and the machine used as an ordinary traction engine for haulage purposes.

The conveyer, when required to be of a longer length, has a supporting beam (118), with a slot or other equivalent means (119) for adjusting the height of thewheel (120),

secured in bosses (121) in the forked-end (122) of the said supporting beam (118). Having now fully described and ascertained my said invention, and the manner in which it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an elevating and transport wheel, inwardly opening compartments arranged around the inner circumference of said wheel, and a shield for normally closing the inner openings of a number of said compartments, said shield being yieldable toward the center of the wheel, for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an elevating and transport wheel, inwardly opening compartments arranged around the inner circumference of said wheel, and a pair of shields for normally closing the inner openings of a number of said compartments, said shields being spaced apart at the upper and lower portions of the wheel and being yieldable toward the center of the wheel, for the purpose specified.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an elevating and transport wheel, inwardly opening compartments arranged around the inner circumference of said wheel, a shield for normally closing the inner openings of a number of said compartments, a stationary member within said wheel, a plurality of rods extending between said shield and stationary member, and springs arranged on said rods, in order to render said shield yieldable toward the center of the wheel, for the purpose specified.

4. In a machine of the class described, a transport and elevating wheel having inwardly opening buckets or compartments arranged peripherally therein, the walls thereof radiating to the center of the wheels, a plate on the outside of and extending over the whole circumference of the rim of said wheels, the depth of the plate being sufficient to form one of the side Walls of the said buckets or compartments, another plate covering the whole of the back of the wheel, a spur wheel attached to said latter plate by radiating beams, angle-iron strips also attached to the last-mentioned plate, and yieldable shields inside the transport and elevating wheel, all as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WESLEY CASTLES.

Witnesses:

WALTER S. BAYsToN, FRANK BAYsToN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

` Washington, D. C. 

